Friday, January 1, 2016

January Quilty 365 Linkup

Happy New Year everyone! Okay, here we go with the Quilty 365 Linkup. December was a tough month to try and have a daily project. Wowsers. Was it for you as well? I have to confess to struggling occasionally, wondering just how important this was to me. Those of you waiting to start this month are sounding kinda brilliant right about now!
All my circles to date!
Some days it was easy to dig through the scrap bin and grab enough fabric for a circle--very enjoyable and relaxing. Other days I had this sort of 'who cares' attitude because I was running my legs off with the Christmas stuff.
Some are already more scrappy than others....
But every single time I actually sat down to sew the circles, I was so very glad to be working on this project. Because it feels right. And I'm oh, so curious to see the outcome of an entire year of my moody ups an downs reflected in fabric! Usually when things get uncomfortable, difficult {or even monotonous} I have to move on to something else for awhile. I really wanna see if I have what it takes to do something quilty for 366 days in a row and if {or when} the perimeters have to change in order for me to keep it up.
It's interesting to see the colors together
Which leads to this: I recently discovered something very interesting. Although I have an massively overflowing scrap bin, I don't actually throw many pieces of fabric into the scrap bin that are over about 4". Somewhere around that size and up to 5", I just tuck the fabric into whatever is left of my fatquarter etc. and back into the stash totes it goes. Which means a one-fabric circle is quickly becoming an impossibility unless I raid the stash totes. What?!! Although I've done that once or twice {okay, maybe three times}, my personal Quilty 365 was going to be made primarily out of the scrappy bits. If that's still my intention, then I'm going to have to work a little harder to make that happen. My recently perfected grab-and-go technique is not going to work for much longer without a bunch of repeats!

So... is anyone still making circles with me? It's not too late to start if you're wanting to join in! I personally started sewing circles on October 26th. The first picture represents all the circles up to New Years Eve for a total of 67 days! Woohoo! I am still amazed at all the interest this simple little project has garnered. Thanks so much to everyone who is participating and interested in linking up together. So many fabulous interpretations--you really need to go see them all to appreciate the very unique perspectives. I just can't say it enough--quilters are amazing!

Please link up with us if you're playing along! Link a thumbnail picture to a current post on your blog detailing:
  • Your starting date
  • What particular day you  happen to be at now {such as 'day 35'}
  • A picture of all your circles {or at least the December circles} whether they are stitched to the background fabric or not
  • A link back to this post
  • Any thoughts or introspection you might want to add about this particular project

   
   

42 comments:

  1. Happy New Year, Audrey! Your circles looks so bright and pretty all lined up together :)

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  2. I do the same thing......tiny pieces stay with what's left of the fq.....they don't hit the scrap bin until it's all that's left. I can see how it will make your work harder. The circle project is a great idea, and I love how yours is coming along. I was going to join in, but I am having trouble keeping up with all the hand sewing I already have. Will love watching your progress though

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  3. Feliz Año Nuevo.

    Yo empezaré con mi primer bloque hoy cuando se vaya mi familia, entonces con tranquilidad haré lo que va a ser el comienzo de mi batalla. He comprado tela negra para el fondo y los circulos lo9s hare con los restos que tengo de otros trabajos.

    Saludos

    ana-ane

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  4. Feliz Año Nuevo Audrey, ya he enlazado mi entrada, son mis primeros 31 bloques. Seguimos cosiendo. Un saludo

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  5. My current circle count is 71 with the most recent batch linked to this post. I've used scraps of my own from previous projects and scraps from other quilting friends (near and far). Thanks so much for sharing your project with all of us!

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  6. Happy New Year Audrey! Great scrappy circles there! Finding the same thing as you - going to have to raid the stash bins after awhile, though I've not been concerned with repeating a fabric if it's one I really like. Just in case you wonder about how many folks are following along, my first link-up post for Quilty 365 had more views than nearly every other post I've written. Would be fun to know how many are actually doing the project but may be too shy to share.

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  7. Oh dear, I very much want to join in the fun. Will ponder this and may be back for a link up

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  8. Happy New Year, Audrey. I'm still going too, and still enjoying it!

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  9. It sounds like we store our fabric/scraps in much the same way!!

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  10. I am starting today. I have been thinking about a 365 project of some kind and this sounds like a great jumping off point. I have a bag of scraps that were gifted to me and I think I will use those scraps to make fabric for the circles. The hard part will be the one day at a time concept.

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  11. Tu idea es fantástica, me encanta ver como la está desarrollando cada una.
    Nos seguimos viendo en este Quilt 365
    Muchas gracias por tu organización.
    Besitos y Feliz año.

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  12. Ya tengo todos los materiales así que espero empezarlo pronto!!
    Gracias por la idea, me encanta!
    Son preciosos tus bloques!
    Besitos y feliz aňo!

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  13. Happy New Year Audrey! Oops am going to have to play catch up on this one - too many BOMs on the go. Better late than never?
    Your blocks look more lovely the more you do!

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  14. Wow everyone has been so productive! I was okay cutting the circles, I just chop a corner off my stash fabric [I m not a scrap hoarder, scraps make me anxious.], whatever I like or used each day. Only twice was I too tired to go into my sewing room and do that, and even those days I knew what fabric I d use. BUT I had no time for sewing them. I ll get my post up in a few [busily working] days, I hope.

    lizzy

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  15. Happy New Year! I appliqued my first circle today and I am ready to party!

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  16. Happy New Year! And thanks for this wonderful way to capture memories of our days.

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  17. Your circles are looking great! I have considered the duplicate fabric issue and have decided I will try to only use a fabric once if possible. With you smaller pieces you may have to piece more of your circles? I think your pieced ones are my favorite!

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  18. Fantastic circles! Well done on making it through the Festive season :)
    Personally I am loving the fact that I got through Christmas and don't have to still face circling through it later this year :)
    I tend to use up my scraps in smaller projects as I make the larger so scrap-anxiety ensued for me too, then I found some bags of many-years ago scraps packed away in various house-moves. So I currently have some so pretty "new" (cos I'd forgotten it) fabric scraps to circle with for a couple of weeks :)

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  19. I tend to cut down anything smaller than a Fat 1/8" into strips and blocks, but my largest strip is 5" wide. Maybe you want to reconsider how you define your scraps? PS: I'm a scrappy quilt so I love feeding my colour-coded scrap bins.

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  20. I'm like you with my fabric scraps, Audrey: if the piece is over about 4 or so inches, or even if it's 2" x 4 or 5", it goes back with the larger piece. Most of my scraps really are scraps. (But then I'm working on those scrappy backgrounds that have larger pieces. They were ones I just decided I didn't want to cut up smaller for any other quilt because I don't like them well enough.) It's interesting to read other quilters' approaches to scraps.

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  21. Happy New Year Audrey. May 2016 bring you health and happiness and an overflowing scrap bin with pieces at least 5" square! I love the way your blocks are developing. Great inspiration.

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  22. So fantastic to see all the circles. I started yesterday, and I think this is going to be interesting. I've not been a good friend with my sewing machine last year. Hope to improve the friendship this year. Thanks you for inspiring us all.

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  23. Hey Audrey! Happy New Year! Congrates on all your circles! Back in Oct. when you started, I thought it was a novel idea for a sew along, but I 'm always reluctant to join for fear of not followint through and well there are already so many ideas floating around in my head...but after looking at the linkies I am very inspired! Jan. 2, is as good a starting place as any right? Thanks for the inspiration, I always enjoy reading your posts! cheers!

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  24. 24 links so far! And a great set of photos, too.

    I'm the same as you with scraps -- they have to be really small to go in the bin. I used to wonder how people had these large collections of scraps, sorted by colour no less! But then I realized that what they call scraps, I call stash. Whatever works for you, right?

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  25. Happy new year Audrey ! I discover your blog thanks to Diane !
    I don't participate in the 365 circles because I have begun three big projects but I will admire your progress on your blog !
    I wish you a nice weekend !

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  26. Happy New Year! The circles look great so far. Just found out about your project, and may consider joining in. Like you, I'm not very good about starting something Jan 1, and sticking to it for the year!

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  27. This is a great idea and I will code mine to the outside Canadian temperature. I just need to determine to go with the daily hi or lo! Wishing you a creative new year.

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  28. I found your blog through another blogger and would like to get your posts via email. I didn't see anywhere to add my email address. Bloglovin doesn't work for me since they made changes to it several months ago. I'd like to join the circle making. Please advise about the email join in. Thanks!

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  29. I just started on January first. Rather than doing circles, I'm making orange peel blocks using my charm squares. I'll be doing neutral backgrounds and picking a color that makes me happy each day. I don't have a blog, so won't be linking up, but I will be working on them each day. What a great project!

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  30. Yes, we are still making circles with you, Audrey. It looks like the group is growing nicely too. :-)
    Your circles look fantastic, a real treat for the eyes!

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  31. Yes, we are still making circles with you, Audrey. It looks like the group is growing nicely too. :-)
    Your circles look fantastic, a real treat for the eyes!

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  32. I have enjoyed all of my Internet sew-a-longs, but this one makes me smile every morning! Thanks again for starting this. I love reading everyone's progress.

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  33. Happy New Year Audrey! I just love your circles, they look so good together - unlike mine, ha! Maybe you could make up some mini strings from your scrap bins, rather than digging larger pieces out of your totes? The pieced circles you've made so far are gorgeous. Thank you for the link up - hope to get round to everyone over the coming week, so many exciting projects to keep up with!

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  34. Happy New Year Audrey and I'm in - thanks for the inspiration and the community. It's great seeing all the interpretations!

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  35. Happy New Year Audrey, your little circles look so lovely up on the wall, for some reason they look so much big when photographed on a wall. I'm glad I made up a stash of my circles well before Xmas as for 2 weeks we had 14 plus in and out of the house over the Xmas festive time and sewing flew out the window, But last night I finally managed to finish sewing my first 40 together so I'm happy now, now starting to join up my next 40. I will join them up like this so I don't have them all to join at the end!!!! Thanks again for so much fun Cheers Glenda

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  36. I started January 1st. This is a real challenge. I wonder under my
    3 3/8 circles on a 4 1/2 square then button hole it with machine. Thanks Audrey for the great idea to use up my scraps.

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  37. Hello! I started 01.01.2016. My first report in 10 days.

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  38. Hello Audrey, I am going to start your 365 daily circles Jan 1, 2016. I know I am a bit late but the is a wonderful hand project to always carry with you. Thanks for the idea. I will continue to follow your blog.

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  39. Hello! Now I have my first 16 ready. I started 1.1.2016. This is so great idea!

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